EXPLORING HONEYBEE FORAGING PATTERNS AND MELISSOPALYNOLOGY AS INDICATORS OF ENVIRONMENTAL DIVERSITY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN ITALY AND BOLIVIA

Honeybees, patrol areas ranging from a few metres to kilometres, depending on the availability of plants. However, independently from the plant monitored, honey samples often contain a diverse range of pollen, influenced by various factors such as plant abundance, anther location and surrounding vegetation. As a result, the composition of pollen in honey can be considered a unique environmental fingerprint, reflecting the botanical diversity of the landscape. In this study, we explore the complex relationship between honeybee foraging patterns and pollen in honey focussing on understanding environmental diversity and its implications for beekeepers. To do so the research was based mainly on honey collection in two geographical regions: Northern Italy and Bolivia. These areas exhibit stark differences in climate, vegetation, and baseline knowledge. Melissopalynological analysis applied to monofloral honey-samples collected from various locations in Italy over 10 years were associated to field research, providing insights into the diversity and abundance of plant species visited by honeybees in the area. In contrast, the study in Bolivia (inserted in the project SANAPI coordinated by ASPEM financed by AICS) began with a comprehensive review of existing literature of the local vegetation and floral resources available for honeybees, followed by melissopalinological analysis on honey-samples collected from different geographical region of the country. By comparing and contrasting the findings from these two distinct regions, this research aims to elucidate the relationship between honeybee foraging behavior and environmental diversity. Furthermore, the melissopalynological analysis provides valuable insights into the unique pollen signatures of each environment, highlighting the importance of honeybees as bioindicators of ecosystem health and biodiversity. Overall, this comparative study highlights the importance of honeybees and melissopalynology in monitoring environmental change and assessing the suitability of landscapes for beekeeping, contributing to the understanding of ecosystem dynamics and conservation efforts on a global scale.